July route roundup: Where cruise lines are adding sailings

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Built in 2000 for Renaissance Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises' 686-passenger Azamara Quest recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation to many of the ship’s public spaces, kitchens, cabins and restaurants.
Azamara Club Cruises

Although standard draft beers like Bud Light and Becks are complimentary, Azamara offers a specialty package providing guests with a wider selection – including imported favorites like Amstel Light and even craft beers, at the pool bar.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Thanks to the smaller size of the Azamara Quest, the ship is able to park as close as possible to the hustle and bustle of ports. Here, the ship sits directly next to the popular Ferris wheel in downtown Helsinki.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Offering more laid-back pool fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, Cuban sandwiches and French fries, the Patio Grill is a great spot to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch or dinner.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The elegant staircase connects the fourth floor, home to staterooms, guest services and Land Discoveries, to the fifth floor, the bustling epicenter of the ship – home to the main restaurant, lounge, casino and shops.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

To the right of guest relations sits the loyalty and sales office, which can assist with booking new cruises and joining loyalty programs, while the map serves as an interactive guide to the hundreds of itineraries Azamara offers – as well as offering detailed information on each port, country and city.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The walkway leading to the Casino from Mosaic is lined by two shops – Indulgences, selling high-end jewelry, and Le Boutique, a discreet boutique selling high-end clothing and gifts.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

As you make your way towards the front of the ship on Deck Five, you’ll pass a grand piano and table for Park West, where the art collector and dealer on board can sell you the photos and prints you see throughout the ship.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Flanked by abstract and vibrant artwork, the Casino and neighboring bar is constantly buzzing with activity at night and is often the place to go before an evening show in the Cabaret Lounge.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

With a small bar and comfortable seating including couches, love seats and cocktail tables, the lounge is where guests catch up and enjoy light bites (like spiced olives and chunks of fresh feta cheese) while waiting for a table.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The formal restaurant on the ship, Discoveries is a favorite for guests looking for a fresh and varied menu in a more upscale environment. Here, waiters serve you and the menu features up to four courses. It’s open for breakfast from 8 - 10 a.m. and for dinner from 5 - 10 p.m.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The main focal point of the dining room is the sleek and modern silver chandelier, located in the center of the room. The light, along with other little details in the room, were added during the renovations.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The wood-paneled mirror wall on the left side of the restaurant’s entrance was an original fixture of the ship and adds a touch of old-world style to the rest of the room’s modern furniture and table settings.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Discoveries is also very conscious of guests with allergies, health concerns and food preferences, and offers options for just about anyone, like this gluten-free ahi tuna salad.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Right off the entrance of Discoveries Restaurant is a side deck used mostly by staff, but it can be a quiet and beautiful place to enjoy the sunset, relax after dinner or watch the view.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Along with two elevator banks on each side of the ship, the Quest has two sets of passenger staircases – which feature the same scrolling pattern of the grand staircase in the lobby with statement artwork, collectible antiques and an original painted ceiling.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Five floors above Discoveries is one of the Quest’s specialty restaurants, Prime C Steakhouse. The upcharge is $30 per guest, depending on the evening, and the menu features a more elegant menu curated specifically by the chef.
Azamara Club Cruises

The menu at Prime C boasts a collection of specialty cuts of prime grade beef, with the most popular being the filet. Guests looking for the chef’s recommendation can book a coveted chef’s table seat, which is offered three times during the course of the cruise.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The chef’s pick changes daily, but more often than not, a seafood pasta (paired with house-made noodles) will make an appearance – featuring freshly caught seafood, mussels, clams or oysters from the local regions.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The Sanctum Spa, located on the ninth floor, offers guests a collection of services to enjoy during their cruise, from facials to massages and even hair cuts, blow-outs and manicures and pedicures.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

On the table adjacent to the reservation desk is a sign-up sheet for the neighboring gym’s fitness classes, as well as a full-service spa menu, featuring the treatments and their prices.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Only available to spa guests and suite passengers, the outdoor Terrace offers a quiet place to enjoy views of the sea, with lounge chairs and a pool used for relaxing or for thalassotherapy treatments.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The small treatment rooms, some with windows, are where guests can unwind with a massage – ranging from 50 to 90 minutes. The therapists also use calming and scented oils to aid relaxation.
Azamara Club Cruises

Right next to the spa is the Quest’s fitness facility, which has state-of-the-art machines for guests looking to stay in shape on the cruise. In addition to the machines, the Quest employs a personal trainer who hosts daily fitness classes (like spinning and pilates) in the mornings for those looking for a group experience.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

One of the more popular stateroom options onboard the Quest is the Club Veranda room, which has 175 square feet of room inside and a veranda that boasts 40 square feet. With the ability to configure two twin beds or one queen, the space also allows for a small desk and couch seating area.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

For suite guests and VIPs, the Quest’s hotel manager provides a bottle of complimentary Perrier-Jouet Champagne and glasses upon arrival. Plus, the mini-bar adjacent to the TV is fully stocked with wine, beer options, water, juices and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The bathrooms, which feature a double flush toilet, standing shower with adjustable shower hose and French doors, large sink and mirror, come with bright lights and just enough space to maneuver around.
Azamara Club Cruises

Located on the ninth level adjacent to the spa, the Club Spa Suites are brand new additions to the Quest in 2016 and feature double glass sinks, a full veranda, a queen-size bed and seating areas.
Azamara Club Cruises

With its own separate bedroom with a large queen-size bed and 40-inch TV, the Club Ocean Suite is one of the most spacious onboard and also features a dressing room, vanity and large closets.
Azamara Club Cruises

Also completely renovated this year, the Ocean Suite’s living room has updated and contemporary décor with a loveseat, two accent chairs and a four-person table, as well a 233-square-foot veranda.
Azamara Club Cruises

Like the larger version on the fourth floor, the interactive tabletop in the Living Room allows guests to explore new Azamara itineraries on the renovated Quest, as well as videos detailing the land discoveries and port explorations.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

On the other side of the ship from the Living Room is the Library, a small and quiet space with cozy seating, fully stocked bookcases with new and old favorites, as well as the desk of the IT specialist on board.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

Renting a book onboard is simple – just jot down your name, stateroom and the book you’ve borrowed, and return it before the end of the cruise. It’s a great way to unwind peacefully after dinner or during sea days.
Claire Volkman for USA TODAY

The new sailings, notably, can be combined with five-night, pre-and post-cruise safaris to create an extended exploration of Africa.

In advance of the four South Africa-focused sailings, Azamara Quest will operate a 24-night voyage from Mumbai, India to Cape Town that includes several stops in South Africa as well as calls in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Kicking off on Dec. 28, 2019, it'll be Azamara's first-ever trip to the African continent.

The new sailings come in the wake of a massive, $120 million makeover of the ship that included the addition of new deck-top water slides, a FlowRider surfing pool, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience and other fun-focused attractions.

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Royal Caribbean's 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas has emerged from a major, $120 million makeover that included the addition of new deck-top water slides, a FlowRider surfing pool, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience and other fun-focused attractions.
Royal Caribbean

Locked into a raised position when the Safari Endeavour is sailing, the ship's EZ Dock platform is lowered into the water after the vessel drops anchor in protected bays and coves.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Safari Endeavour passengers can sign up for guided kayaking explorations as well as "free paddles." Here, passengers in a guided group head out to a small island off the coast of Mexico's Agua Verde bay to look for blue-footed boobies.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Safari Endeavour's Zodiacs also are used daily for landings in remote areas for activities such as hiking and wildlife watching. Here, passengers land by boat at Espiratu Santo Island in the Sea of Cortes.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The midship portion of the Safari Endeavour's Bridge Deck is called the Sun Lounge and features open and shaded deck space with chairs and tables, here configured for a start-of-cruise kayaking lecture.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Squeezed into a corner of the Sun Lounge are several exercise machines including an elliptical trainer and a handful of free weights. Free yoga classes also are offered on the deck every morning.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

As detailed on the ship's name plate, located on the bridge, the Safari Endeavour was built in 1983 by the Jeffboat Shipyard at Jefferson, Ind. and originally called the Newport Clipper.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Safari Endeavour's dining room can accommodate all passengers in one open seating. A row of picture windows on either side assures excellent sea-level views of passing scenery and marine life.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Offering views of the sea from a picture window, the Safari Endeavour's Library is stocked with reference books about the places the ship visits in addition to a selection of recently released DVDs that can be borrowed for in-cabin viewing.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Safari Endeavour has 42 cabins split into five categories. More than half of the cabins fall into the Commander category, an example of which is shown here. It features fixed twin beds, a desk and a built-in closet area.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Formerly called American Safari Cruises, Un-Cruise Adventures introduced yacht-style “un-cruising” to Alaska in 1997 and has expanded to the Sea of Cortes, Hawai’i and the Pacific Northwest.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Safari Endeavour rarely docks when on Sea of Cortes cruises. Here, it's seen tied up at Puerto Escondido on Mexico's Baja Peninsula so passengers can disembark for an excursion to see gray whales in Magdalena Bay.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

UnCruise Adventures is the leader in small-ship Alaska cruises. It operates seven vessels in the region that in 2019 will sail 142 departures on 11 itineraries. The trips range from a week to two weeks in length. Voyages begin in Seattle as well as Ketchikan, Juneau, Petersburg and Sitka in Alaska.

Fares for UnCruise sailings in Alaska start at $2,995 per person, based on double occupancy, including meals; all beverages including alcohol; adventure activities and transfers to the ship.

Carnival to base ship in Brisbane, Australia

Cruise giant Carnival soon will have a ship based in Brisbane, Australia — a first for the line.

The Miami-based cruise company says its 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit will operate out of the city year-round starting in 2020. The ship currently is based in Sydney, Australia.

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Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship is the 3,954-passenger Carnival Vista, which debuted in May 2016. At 133,500 tons, it's Carnival's biggest ship ever and the first of the line's new Vista Class of vessels. It sails to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Miami.
Danny Lehman

A sister ship to Carnival Vista to be called Carnival Horizon is scheduled to debut in April 2018. Like Vista, it'll measure 133,500 tons and carry 3,954 passengers, based on double occupancy.
Carnival Cruise Line

Unveiled in 2012, the 130,000-ton Carnival Breeze is the newest of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels, which began rolling out in 2009. Shown here in St. Thomas, it carries 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Port Canaveral, Fla.
Danny Lehman

Unveiled in 2011, the 3,690-passenger, 130,000-ton Carnival Magic is the second of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels. Shown here in Key West, Fla., it sails to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla. It'll move to Miami in the fall of 2018.
Danny Lehman

Sailing since 2009, the 3,646-passenger,130,000-ton Carnival Dream is based year-round in New Orleans but will move to Galveston, Texas in 2019. It was the first of Carnival's three Dream Class vessels to debut.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Unveiled in 2008, the 3,012-passenger, 113,000-ton Carnival Splendor is the only member of Carnival's Splendor Class of vessels. Originally designed for sister line Costa Cruises (where it would have been called Costa Splendor), it was transferred to Carnival during construction. It began sailing from Long Beach, Calif. in January 2018.
Carnival Cruise Line

The 2,974-passenger, 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom is the newest of five Conquest Class vessels that Carnival debuted between 2002 and 2007. Shown here docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, it currently sails to the Caribbean out of Galveston, Texas.
Andy Newman, Andy Newman/CCL

Dating to 2005, the 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty is the second oldest of Carnival's five Conquest Class vessels. It carries 2,974 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to The Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, Fla.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

The 2,974-passenger, 110,000-ton Carnival Valor is another Conquest Class vessel that debuted in 2004. It sails to the Caribbean out of Galveston, Texas but will move to New Orleans in 2019.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Unveiled in 2002, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest is the oldest of Carnival's five Conquest Class vessels, which debuted between 2002 and 2007. It carries 2,974 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Dating to 2004, the 88,500-ton Carnival Miracle is one of four Spirit Class vessels that Carnival rolled out between 2001 and 2004 that often are assigned to the line's more far-flung itineraries. The 2,124-passenger ships have pools that can be covered with sliding glass domes and other design features that give them an advantage in destinations with inclement weather. Miracle began sailing year-round out of Tampa in January 2018.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Sailing since 2002, the 2,124-passenger, 88,500-ton Carnival Legend is the second oldest of Carnival's four Spirit Class ships. It specializes in voyages to Alaska and Hawaii from several ports.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Also unveiled in 2001, the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit was the original vessel in Carnival's Spirit Class. It carries 2,124 passengers, based on double occupancy, and sails in Australia.
Carnival Cruise Line

Unveiled in 2000, the 101,509-ton Carnival Victory is one of two Triumph Class ships in the Carnival fleet. The 2,754-passenger vessel sails to The Bahamas and Caribbean out of Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line

The 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph is the namesake for Carnival's two-ship Triumph Class. Sailing since 1999, it currently operates trips to the Caribbean from New Orleans. Starting in 2020, it'll sail from New York; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Norfolk, Va.
Carnival Cruise Line

The 102,853-ton Carnival Sunshine is the only member of Carnival's Sunshine Class of ships. It originally debuted in 1996 as Carnival Destiny but was renamed in 2013 following a massive makeover. At the time of its debut, it was the largest cruise ship ever built and, notably, the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons. Based in Port Canaveral, Fla., it'll move to Charleston, S.C. in 2019.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

The 70,367-ton Carnival Paradise is one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessel, which date to the 1990s. Built in 1998, it carries 2,056 passengers and sails to the Caribbean out of Tampa.
Carnival Cruise Line

The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Elation sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean out of Jacksonville, Fla. but will move to Port Canaveral, Fla. in 2019. Unveiled in 1998, it's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessels, which date to the 1990s.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Also sailing to Mexico from the Los Angeles area is the 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination. Shown here in the Turks & Caicos Islands, it's one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Classs vessels and first debuted in 1995.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination sails to the Caribbean from Barbados and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dating to 1994, it is one of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class vessels.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

The 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy sails to The Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean from Charleston, S.C. but will move to Jacksonville, Fla., in 2019. Christened in 1991, it's one of eight Fantasy Class vessels at Carnival.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Unveiled in 1990, the 2,052-passenger, 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy is the oldest of Carnival's 25 ships. Now based year-round in Mobile, Ala., it is the namesake for Carnival's eight-ship Fantasy Class of vessels.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

In addition to Carnival's current fleet of 25 ships, the line has operated several other vessels over its 45 year history. The very first was the 27,500-ton Mardi Gras, shown here in a photo illustration alongside one of the cruise company's most recently unveiled vessels, Carnival Magic. At 130,000 tons, Carnival Magic is almost five times the size of Mardi Gras.
Illustrated by Lorraine Turner/Carnival Corp.

Carnival's first newly built ship was the 36,674-ton Tropicale, shown here in a file photo from 1999.Unveiled in 1981, it sailed with the line until 2001, when it was transferred to Costa Cruises.
Chris O'Meara, Associated Press

After a major refit in 2015 at the BAE Systems Drydock in San Francisco, the Carnival Miracle now boasts many of Carnivals newly implemented 2.0 venues like the Alchemy Bar, Redfrog Pub and Skybox sports bar.
Peter Knego

The sailings primarily will be aimed at the Australia market and not sold at Carnival's U.S. website.

While Carnival is primarily focused on the American market with the bulk of its fleet sailing to The Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico out of U.S. ports, it has been building an Australian-focused business since 2012.

Silversea touts off-the-beaten-path adventures

Would you pay $78,000 for the chance to step foot on the South Pole? Silversea is betting that at least a few people will.

The 24-year-old purveyor of super-deluxe cruises is offering a new, 10-night trip to Antarctica by private jet that includes a six-night stay at a luxury camp set up near the edge of the continent and an overnight stay in tents right at the South Pole marker. Other features include a rare visit to an emperor penguin colony and an exploration of Antarctica ice caves.

The tour is part of Silversea's new Couture Collection — a group of nine super-pricey, super-curated overland trips aimed at the growing number of wealthy travelers whose idea of luxury is as much about getting one-of-a-kind experiences as it is about traditional pampering.

The new Couture Collection tours are designed as add-ons to specific Silversea cruises.

In addition to the South Pole, the collection includes an eight-night trip to remote reindeer herders and eagle hunters of Mongolia meant to be paired with an Asia cruise. There’s also a six-night exploration of the Australian Outback created to complement an Australia cruise. The Antarctica trip is designed to be coupled with a voyage around the southern tip of Africa.

Silversea is going all out with the trips. Ranging in length from five to 11 days, they include transportation by private helicopters as well as private jets. They also include luxury accommodations that sometimes are custom-built just for the trip. Prices start at $11,299 per person.

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One of the biggest trends in cruising in recent years has been the proliferation of giant and colorful "hull art" on the hulls of ships. Here, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest vessels, the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Getaway.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Christened in 2014, Norwegian Getaway features a massive mural with swirling motifs and a giant mermaid as well as tropical palm trees and pelicans. It was designed by Miami artist David "Lebo" Le Batard.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Dawn's colorful hull art, which runs the entire length of the ship, was designed by the London firm SMC Design. All Norwegian ships that have come out since have featured similarly colorful hull art, and the line has retroactively added hull art to older vessels, too.
Michele Verdure

Hull art on Norwegian ships has gotten ever more elaborate in recent years, with the line's newest vessels featuring designs by well-known artists. The hull of the two-year-old Norwegian Escape has a design with a giant merlin and other ocean wildlife created by noted Jamaican ocean conservationist and marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Yes, those are giant red-and-orange lips on the front of a cruise ship. German line Aida Cruises has made the multi-deck-high lips on its ship hulls a signature. Aida is credited with starting the hull art trend way back in the 1990s.
Aida Cruises

One line that is just dipping its toe into the hull art trend is Princess Cruises. Princess's new Majestic Princess, unveiled in early 2017, was the line's first ship with hull art, and the line now is adding hull art to other vessels such as the Royal Princess.
Princess Cruises

From the front, the Princess seawitch design has a bold, geometric look at can be seen from miles away. Princess is adding the design to ships one-by-one as they undergo previously schedule overhauls in dry dock.
Princess Cruises

The British flag isn't the only flag that adorns a cruise ship. Norwegian Cruise Line's U.S.-flagged, Hawaii-based Pride of America has a stylized stars-and-stripes across its hull.
Norwegian Cruise Line

19. World Dream. Also measuring 150,695 tons is World Dream, a sister ship to Dream Cruises' Genting Dream that debuted in 2017. Aimed at the Chinese market, it began sailing out of the Chinese port of Guangzhou in November 2017.
Dream Cruises

18. Genting Dream. Built in 2016 for Asia-based Dream Cruises, this giant ship measures 150,695 tons. Dream Cruises caters to the Chinese market and is little known in the United States.
Ingrid Fiebak-Kremer

Genting Dream was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany -- the same shipyard that has built many of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships as well as vessels for Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises.
Ingrid Fiebak-Kremer

Even ferry companies have gotten into the hull art trend. The hulls of Moby Lines' six cruise ferries and five fast cruise ferries feature Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
Moby Lines

Also playing with hull art, albeit in a fairly modest form, is start-up line Virgin Voyages. As seen in this artist's drawing, the company's first vessel (due in 2020) will have a giant mermaid with the Virgin flag on its hull.
Virgin Voyages

One major line that has eschewed the hull art trend is Carnival -- a surprise, perhaps, given the company is known for some of the most outrageous interior decor at sea. Carnival's ships feature an almost plain white hull design, with the only decoration being two modest red stripes.
Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line

Also sticking with a minimalist look in hull design is Germany-based luxury line Hapag-Lloyd, which is known for some of the world's most upscale vessels. Here, the line's recently unveiled Europa 2, which features the line's signature blue-and-orange line along its hull.
Christian Wyrwa

Another line that has taken a relatively minimalist approach to hull decoration is Royal Caribbean. Over the past decade, Royal Caribbean has begun painting the lower part of its ship hulls a baby blue color that offers a tad of contrast with the white superstructure above.
Michel Verdure

The baby blue color that Royal Caribbean has begun using on its ship hulls covers the portion of the vessels below the lifeboat deck. Here, the line's 2014-built Quantum of the Seas soon after it was first painted at a shipyard in Germany.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

At least one ship currently at sea has hull art that seems decidedly out of place, until you know the back story. The 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky is adorned with Hawaiian leis, which doesn't seem to fit its current assignment sailing to Cuba out of Miami. The design dates back to the middle of the last decade, when the vessel sailed in Hawaii as the Pride of Aloha.
Norwegian Cruise Line

No other line has as many ships with elaborate hull art as Norwegian Cruise Line. Here, the 2010-built Norwegian Epic, which features hull art designed by the line's in-house design team. It remains the only Norwegian ship whose hull art was designed in-house.
Michele Verdure

The hull art on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sun is notable in that it extends all the way up the side of the ship almost to the top deck. Playing off the ship's name, the design is of a stylized sun.
Michel Verdure

Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, the built-for-the-Chinese-market Norwegian Joy, features hull art designed to resonate in its assigned home ports of Shanghai and Beijing. Created by Chinese artist Tan Ping, it features a mythical red phoenix that has been found in Chinese art for centuries.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Perhaps the most garish of Norwegian's hull designs (some might say) are the ones adorning the line's Jewel Class ships. Here, the Norwegian Pearl, which features an undulating string of giant, jewel-toned pearls.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Another artist who has created an art piece for a ship hull is Peter Max. He designed a giant artwork with New York motifs for Norwegian Cruise Line's 2013-built Norwegian Breakaway. The ship initially was based in New York.
Danny Lehman

The hull of Norwegian Cruise Line's next new ship, Norwegian Bliss (shown here in an artist's drawing), will feature images of marine mammals created by marine artist Wyland. Scheduled to debut in April, Bliss will be deployed in Alaska during the summer.
Norwegian Cruise Line

The public got its first glimpse of the Wyland-created hull art for Norwegian Bliss on Feb. 19, 2018 when the still-under-construction ship was floated out from a building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Meyer Werft

What's next for hull art at Norwegian Cruise Line? The line has been mum so far on its plans for its next new ship, Norwegian Encore, due in 2019. Artist's drawings of the vessel released by the line show a blank canvas.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Another look for cruise ship exteriors that remains popular is the combination of a darkly painted hull with a white superstructure. It's a traditional look that appeals to lines such as Holland America that are steeped in history. Here, Holland America's newest ship, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam.
Holland America Line

The tradition of painting a hull a dark color is a throwback to the era of coal-powered steamship travel. Ship historians say passenger ships of the steamship era were outfitted with darkly colored hulls to hide the coal dust that would be kicked up during coal loading.
Holland America Line

Another cruise operator that aims for a traditional look with dark colored ship hulls is Disney. Here, Disney Cruise Line's recently revamped Disney Wonder, which was designed to mimic the elegant lines of 20th century ocean liners.
Todd Anderson, Disney

The dark hulls of today's Holland America and Disney ships mimic the look of such iconic ocean liners as Cunard's original Queen Mary. Built in the 1930s and long retired, Queen Mary survives as a hotel and museum in Long Beach, Calif.
Queen Mary

Another line that is going dark and solid with its hull decoration is Celebrity Cruises. Here, an artist's drawing of the line's soon-to-debut Celebrity Edge, which will feature a dark blue hull.
Celebrity Cruises

British line Marella Cruises, which until October 2017 was called Thomson Cruises, offers a twist on the tradition of darkly colored hulls with its new hull art design. The lines ships are being painted with a mix of solid dark blue and baby blue colors that swirl along the side of the vessels.
Marella Cruises

One segment of the cruise world that hasn't jumped on the hull art trend is the luxury segment. Many luxury lines such as Seabourn Cruise Line go with a clean white look for their ship exteriors. Here, Seabourn's new Seabourn Encore.
Michel Verdure